Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/252

174 174 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF 960^ grains. The diameter of the fibida is |ths of an inch ; weight, 304 grains." Portion of a Gold Chain and Ornament found near Llandovery. The chains, now deposited in the British Museum, precisely identical with this, show that the " fastening " above described, was, in fact, a small lunular pendant ; and that the extremities of the chain were connected with the wheel-ornament. A full description, however, of those remarkable relics will be given on a future occasion. Mr. Yates read some interesting particulars communicated by Mr. Ottley, an English gentleman resident at Pau, relating to the recent discovery of a Roman villa about two miles distant from that place on the road to Eaux Bonnes. The remains of a mosaic pavement had been uncovered by the plough, four or five years since, but they were covered over, and maize planted, as usual. Early in March last, the son of Mr. Baring Gould obtained the farmer's permission to excavate this site ; he soon brought to light a pavement of considerable extent, and the investigation having been taken up with much interest by the English at Pau, the ground-plan of a large villa was laid open to view, consisting of seven or eight rooms, and a corridor, upwards of 100 feet in length, the whole paved with tessellated work of great elegance in design. The portion last cleared out was a rectangular piscina or basin occupying the centre of the house, the sides covered with marble, and the bottom paved with mosaic, representing fishes, crabs, and other marine animals. In one of the largest rooms, measuring thirty feet in length, the pavement displayed a large bust of Neptune, surrounded by the trident, fishes, &c. The leaden pipes for the sui)ply and for drawing off the water from the piscina still exist. The French, who at first were disposed to treat the excavations with contempt, now joined in the undertaking, and contributed their subscriptions; but unfortunately, on the 24th March, the proprietor had suddenly stopped the work, and ordered the site to be filled in again. The farmer, however, was determined to continue the diggings, and to keep the pavements open to view, being unwilling to lose the profitable rccolte from the curious who visit them, much more to his advantage than the culture of maize. The interest excited by the extent and beautiful design of these pavements had brought him a crowd of visitors, and his daily receipts had been from fifteen to forty francs by the exhibition.